Washing machine



April 22,1930. D. A. WILSQN 1,755,465

WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 192'?y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5/ INYENIDE.

April 22, 1930. D, A. WILSON 1,755,465

WASHING MACHINE y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1927 'HTNT- '-f-M m- `liatentecl pr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE" DOUGLAS A. WILSON, or IEoRIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNoR To ALToRFER BROS.` .ooMrANY,

or EAST I'RoRIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS WASHING MACHINE Application mea December 1e, 1927. serial No. 240,547.

This invention has reference to washing machines and it has for its principal object to lmprove that type of machine in which is embodied a centrifugal extractor for drying the clothes and other materials, following the washing, bluing or rinsin operation.

The invention has for one o its objects to provide an extracting receptacle where the free water is removed from clothing and other materials by centrifugal action and expelled from said receptacle at the upper end thereof; to provide r an operating means adapted for rotating the receptacle in opposite directions, as desired, and to provide for the circulation of preferably cold or nonheated air down through the receptacle, during its rotation in one direction, whereby to insure, through the operation of extraction and air drying,'that the clothing and other materials will be ready for the ironer, on removal from Said receptacle.

- The invention has for afurther object to provide for such a receptacle a closure including a depending thimble-like member for spreading the clothing and other materials therein; said member being a depository and distributor for air entering the receptacle to direct the' same for proper circulation into and through the receptacle; means being provided on the closure to direct air into .said member. V

A further object of the invention is to provide the receptacle with a base, both of which are adapted for rotation in opposite directions, and each having air egress openings for the discharge of air caused to enter and be circulated through said receptacle, on the rotation of the receptacle in one direction; said base having a free mot-ion on the bottom of the receptacle with each initiall reverse movement imparted thereto, whereby the openings in base and receptacle are off-set one to the other, when the receptacle is rotated in one direction and said openings caused to register with each other when the receptacle is rotated in an opposite direction.

A still further object of the invention is in the manner of connecting the receptacle with the operating means and in the reversing mechanism for said operating means.

Other and furtherobjects will more full appear from the following description.

That the invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this description, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation, mostly in section, A'

showing my extractor and dryer associated ywiththe tub of a washing machine, dotted llnes showing the closure for the extractor in elevated or.open position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig.l 1, partly in Section, that part which is in section being 4 as it would appear if taken on the line 2-2 Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the lower end of the .receptacle and the base therefor; Fig. 4 is a plan in section, as the same would appear if taken on the line 4 4 Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a plan of the base for the receptacle. l f y Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the gures.

The machine includes a washing tub 1 and an imperforate extractor and dr ing member 2, the latter being in the form o a receptacle to hold clothing or other materials. Both of these elements are supported in or by a stable frame work, comprising in part a head frame 3, a lower frame only one of which is shown, and it is shown connecting the lower and head frames, and to that part of the latter which is formed as an annular ring 6. The tub lis provided with the usual agitator or washing element 7 operated from a shaft 8 passing up through the bottom of the tub land adapted to recelve its power from any suitable source. The receptacle 2 is removably and rotatably supported next adjacentthe body of the tub 1 and is preferably rotatedfrom and by means locatcumferentially adjusted thereon, isan annup larly formed housing 9,- provided with a lower annular ring or flange l10, which is of to provide the inner wall o sufficient depth for the housing and a dependvthe chamber 11 p so 4 and standards 5,

ing apron to Abe seated within the ring 6 of the head frame and to have a bearing therewith when the housing is revolved. The up- .annular opening 13 I therein.

p and downwardly and presenting a curved upper yedge 15. When the receptacle 2 is in operative position on the machine, the flanged upper end overlies the upper end of the flange 10 of the housing, whereby water which is caused to be expelled through centrifugal action from the receptacle, is caused to travel upwardly in the receptacle and eX- pelled radially therefrom over the curved upper edge l15 of said receptacle and discharged into the chamber 11 in the housing 9. Such water is then dischargedfrom the housing through a conduit 16, see Fig. 2, formed or provided in a radial extension 17 from the housing 9, and communication with the chamber 11 therein.. The upper surface of the extension may serve as a drain board and is swingablel to different positions, so' that water discharged from the extension 17 may be directed into the tub 1 or to different receptacles not shown, as desired. The Vopening 13 in the head wallvof the housing 9 iS of a diameter to allow for the placement andv removal of the receptacle 2 therethrough, includ1ng the flanged upper end thereof, as will be understood.

Arranged to normally overlie cross-wise the housing 9 is a support'18 hinged at 19 tof one side of the housing whereby it may be lowered into closed position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and raised to open position,-as shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 1. For locking the support 18 in closed position I provide the member 20 which is pivoted,

whereby it may be moved over said support and have a bearing relation thereagainst.

Rotatably supported on said support 18 is a closure or cover 21 for the upper end of' the receptacle 2. The under peripheral edge portion of said closure is provided with .a curved face 22 complementary to the curved upper edge 15 of the receptacle 2, and when closed has an impingin relation therewith ,so that as the receptacle 1s rotated, its closure Awith the walls forming the upper inlet ends tapered downwardly and outwardly, as

vshown in Fig. 1, forthe induction of preferably cold or non-heated air into the receptacle. These openings at their lower ends open into and'have communication with a chamber 26 Aformed or provided in said closure. This chamber '26 is preferably provided by constructing the4 closure in two sections, that which has .just been previously described, and a lower'A section 27, removably secured thereto, by meansl of `screws 28. Said section 27 hav'ing a depending thimble-like portion 29, the wall of which is provided with a multiplicity of air discharge openings 30, and said thimblel1ke portion 29 communicates with a radially arranged air cond-uit 31 which is in communication with a throat 32 from the chamber 26 from the main section of the closure. Thus it will be seen that air entering or'being drawn down through the openings 25 will be caused to circulate to and through the throat 32 into the conduit 31 and thence into the thimblelike portion 29 and from thence through the openings 30 down into and through the receptacle'2, as will more fully a pear.

The bearing portion 24 o the closure contains a self aligning ball bearing 33 providing a journal bearing for a short'shaft o1' splndle 34 which is carried by the support 18 'and passing into the chamber 26 of the closure has secured thereon and within said chamber` a stationary pump element 35 formed or provided with the plurality of curved radially arranged wings or vanes 36,

`see Fig. 2. It is to beunderstood that the housing 9 and the support 18 are normally Y stationary, but capable of manual adjustment circumferentially of the extractor, but the ,0,

closure is rotatable on the shaft or spindle 34, being rotated with and by the receptacle 2, whereas the pump element 35 is held stationary, air entering'through the openings 25 being accentuated and accelerated by the rotation of the said receptacle, the wings or vanes 36 being curved'in a. direction to facilitate the travel of the air, resulting from the direction of rotation of the receptacle. The thimble-like port-ion 29 from the closure 21 being tapered downwardly and inwardly and depending sufficiently into the receptacle 2, when the closure is in position on the receptacle, to cause a uniform spreading of the clothing or other materials'placed therein.

The lower end of the receptacle 2 is preferably tapered downwardly and inwardly, as at 37 and such tapered bottom portion is provided withv air exhaust openings 38. The lower end portion of said receptacle is supported and carried within a base 39, conforming in shape to said lower end of the receptacle and the same is provided with air eX- haust openings 40, adapted under certain operating conditions to register with the ex- 1,755,4e5 l i a haust openings 38 and under certain other operating conditions to be in non-registered position therewith, or off-set thereto. This is brought about by allowing free movement of the base 39 on the receptacle, with each initial rotation of the base .and receptacle, when starting the rotation of base and receptacle in different directions. Such free movement of the base is a limited movement, and is accomplished by slotting the base 39, at 41, see Figs. 3`and 4, for a predetermined distance and providing screws 42 passing through said slots and secured in the wall of the receptacle. Motion is imparted to the receptacle 2 through the base 39, and with each initial movement imparted to the base 39, in either direction the base will have a limited free rotation until an end wall of one 0f the slots engages with a screw 42, when the receptacle is caused to notate in unison with its base. -Rotating the base in one-direction will cause the air exhaust openings 40 and 38 to register, as in Fig. 1, whereas when rotating the base in 4the opposite direction will cause the air exhaust 'openings 40 and 38 to assume non-register or off-set positions, suitable packing 43 beingl inserted between the tapered surfaces of base and bottom of the receptacle preventing leakage.

The base 39 is provided axially withl a depending hub 44 having a seat conforming to and adapted to havea slip on an'd 0H clutch connection with the upper end of a vertically disposed operating shaft 45 journaled at its upper and lower ends in a housing 46 forming a part of or secured to the lower frame 4. Having a spline and groove connection with said shaft 'and slidable thereon is a sleeve 47 and tothe opposite ends of said sleeve are connected, to move therewith, bevel gear wheels 48 and 49 respectively, the latter having a grooved sleeve 50 with which is connected the yoke of a lever arm 51 fulcrumed at 52, and to said lever arm' 51 is connected an operating rod 52 which may lead to any convenient point on the-machine to enable its operation by an lattendant to move the sleeve 47 on the shaft 45 and control the direction of rotation of the receptacle. The gearwheels 48 and 49 are adapted t0 be alternately moved into operation with a driving bevel gear wheel 53 on the inner end yof a driving shaft 54 adapted to receive its power from any suitable source, and preferably from the same source of power for operating the shaft 8.

-To insure a proper frictional engagement between the base 39`and the lower end of the receptacle, I provide a stem 55 threaded into 'the base and extending up through the bottom of the receptacle and thereinto and on .said stem, within the receptacle, I-.provide a coil s ring 56 the-tension of which is regulated ya nut 57 ,holding the spring therebetween and the bottom of the' receptacle. A

In the position the gearing is shown in Fig. l

1, the receptacle 2 would be rotated for drying, after the water extracting operation, 1n

which position of the parts, the' air exhaustopenings 40 and 38 are in registered position, in which position air circulating down in the receptacle will exhaust through said openings, as shown by arrows.

After each extracting operation of the' receptacle, and when the rotation of said receptacle is reversed, the clothing or other materials will be caused to disentangle and separate and allow the free circulation of air therebetween and down through the receptacle, resulting in an efficient drying, whereby such clothing and other materials may be removed from the receptacle ready for ironing.

Lifting the support 18 into the open dotted position shown in Fig. 1 will remove the closure 21 from closed to open position, as will be understood, and will permit the lifting out and removal of the receptacle, detaching it from operative connection with the operating shaft 45, as will bef-understood.

I prefer to use cold or non-heated air in the final step of drying because such an air, it is found, will act to produce a fluffy velvety condition on the clothingl or other material in preparation for the ironing of the same. t

12 Ina machine ofthe character described, a receptacle for extracting water from clothing byceutrifugal action, and to subsequently dry the clothing by the introduction of air thereto,.means to rotate said receptacle" in one continuous direction and while so ro-` tated to extractwater by centrifugal action and to discharge the same from the upper end thereof, means to alternately rotate said receptacle continuously in an opposite direction and'means operable only when the receptacle is so rotatedto induct air thereto and to cause a circulation of such air therethrough.

2. In a machine of the characterdescribed, an extracting receptacle arranged for the discharge of water at theupper end thereof, an operatingv means for said receptacle, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said operating means, and means to cause a circulation of air through the receptacle and operable only during such reverse rota- 7 tion thereof.

3. In a machine of the character described," an extracting receptacle arranged for the discharge of water at` the upper endv thereof, an operating means for said receptacle, means to reverse said operating means to change, at will, the direction of rotation of said receptacle, a movable closure forsaid receptacle arranged when in closed position to rotate with said receptacle, andmeans carried by said closure for introducing air into the receptacle on reversing the directlon of rotation of said receptacle.

4. In a machineof the character described, an extracting receptacle arranged for the discharge of water at the upper end thereof,

charge of water at the upper end thereof, a`

reversable operating means for rotating said receptacle, at will, 1n reverse directions, means to direct air into sa1d receptacle at the upper end thereof during its rotation in vone direction, and valved air exhaust outlets in the lower end of said receptacle, said outlets being alternately opened and closed during the'initial movement of said opposite directions. l

6. In a machine of the character described,

` an' extracting receptacle, means to rotate said receptacle in opposite directions, a closure for said receptacle adapted to. rotate with the receptacle when in closed position, a movable support, means to journal saidfclosure on said support, a chambered extension depending from said closure" and having openings in communication with the ,interior of said receptacle, and means on the closure arranged to conduct air to said chambered extension. v a

7. In a machine of the character described, in comblnatlon, a frame, an extractlng receptacle removably supported therein and adapted to discharge water therefromat its upper end, an operating means arranged for i driving connection with the lower end of said receptacle, means to reverse the direction of rotation of said operating means, a housin manually vand circumferentially adjustable at the `upper endvof said receptacle and having a radially arranged discharge' outlet, a support hinged-'to said housing, la closure rotatably carried by said support and arranged to close the upper end of said receptacle and with said receptacle providing water exhaust outlets to discharge water into said housing, means on the closure to introduce A air into said receptacle as-it is rotated in one direction, and means to exhaust air from the lower end of said receptacle during thec direction of rotation thereof when air is introduced therein, said air exhaust being receptacle in closed during the extraction of water and discharge thereof from the receptacle.

8, In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for extracting water from clothing by centrifugal action, and to subsequently dry the clothing by the introduction of air thereto, means to rotate said receptacle in one continuous direction and while so rotated to extract water by centrifugal action and to .discharge the same from the upper end thereof, and means to rotate said receptacle continuously inY an opposite direction and only while so rotated to induct cool or nonheated air thereto and to cause a circulation' such air being introduced into the receptacle at a point below the upper end thereof.

10. In a machine-'of the character described, an extracting; receptacle arranged for the discharge of water at the upper end thereof, an operating means for said receptacle, means t reverse said operating means to change, at will, the direction of rotation of said receptacle, a movable closure .for said receptacle arranged when in-closed position to rotate with lsaid receptacle, and means carried by said closure for introducing air into the receptacle subsequent ,to the water extracting ,operation and arranged for the introduction ofl such air centrally below said closure.

l1. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle for holding clothing miv and to extract water therefrom by centrifugal action and to discharge the water atv the upper end thereof, means to rotate said receptacle in opposite directions, and means to cause a circulation of cool or non-heated air g through the receptacle, only during the rotation o f said receptacle in one direction and subsequent to and in a direction opposite to the water extracting operati-on. i

12. In a mach-ine of the character de-l scribed, a receptacle for holding clothing and to extract water therefrom by centrifugal action and to discharge the water at the upper. end thereof, means to rotate said receptacle in opposite directions, and means to cause a circulation of air through the receptacle, only during the rotation of said receptacle in one direction andsubsequent to and in a drectionopposite to a' water extracting such air being introduced into the operation,

a, point below the upper end.

receptacle at thereof.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto axed mgxand and seal thislQth day of December, 19

DOUGLAS A. WLSoN. 

